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Guillows Corsair Electric Conversion

I just purchased the Corsair from Guillows- It looks like it has the potential to be a very nice plane. Has anyone successfully gone electric with this? I've seen a few with the little norvell engines. I was planning on using HS-55 's as my servos- how many am I goin to need? Also, anyone who has the plane, how much does it weigh RTF? Any tips you have are appreciated!

RE: Guillows Corsair Electric Conversion

Hi Guy,

If you can locate a July 2004 issue of Ouiet Flyer there's an artical on converting a Guillows S.E. 5A to electric. Not quite the same as the Corsair but there's lot of useful information on radio and motor install and wood selection. This artical answered a lot of questions for me. Also, lots of postings here on R/C Universe.

RE: Guillows Corsair Electric Conversion

I found a guy who's testing some 90 degree rotating parkflyer retracts. Perfect for this corsair. If someone else is looking for them I can give you his contact info. I've been putting in a few hours here and there and teh corsair is slowly coming together. The motor I'm going with is the PJS 550R. It somehow got messed up a while ago, not even in a crash or anything- I think the magnets just got messed up. Anyhow, I thrust-o-metered it and it has about 10 oz of thrust, which should probably be ok considering the plane, i'm hoping, will weigh under 20 oz. The motor was in an aerobatic foamie, abaout 20 oz, and it flew fine. I'm going to try a tri-prop so it will probably be much different with that too. I think a 2 cell 400 mah lipo should be good. In the attached pictures, you can see my progress- I put a little servo tray in like the article suggested, but I'm going to place an order today for some extra lightweight servos, so I'm going to hold off on the stringers for now. Any comments/suggestions are appreciated!

RE: Guillows Corsair Electric Conversion

complete with laser cut ply retracts powered by one submicro servo. all in all its 14 oz so turned out lighter than expected. I went brushless and 11.1 300 mah lipo so it will tear through the air. I would expect landings to be fairly fast, yes.

RE: Guillows Corsair Electric Conversion

Well after reading this and another article or two on Guillows R/C conversions, I have decided to try one myself. Years of building static models, but no R/C experience whatsoever.
Time will tell if I am getiing in over my head, but I just can't get into all the foamies and the prebuilt or R/C intended balsa kits like to Great Planes kite just seem pricey to me when I still need to by radio and associated equipment.

I'm bidding on a Giant scale Guillows Stuka right now. I suppose time will tell if it was a wise investment. Any chance the dive brakes could be made functional, or is this going to be strictly for show?

Does anyone think a Ryobi Weedie conversion would work with this if I reinforce the firewall with ply? Also I will need to reinforce the fixed landing gear, but not sure how yet. A rubber mount transition of some kind? A metal bar running from the engine mounts so the wing doesn't take the entire shock of landing? Suggestions appreciated on this.

Also are you have all four ailerons servo controlled or just the two wings?

RE: Guillows Corsair Electric Conversion

Dave --

Are you bidding on the 1000 series Stuka? Secondly, I'm assuming that you're referencing a converted Ryobi weedwhacker engine.

The giant scale Guillows Stuka has a span of 34.25" and probably would max out with a .074 -- when you read about the Ryobi being used on giant scale, they're referring to planes with spans of 72" and up and with significant weight.

Guillows conversions are difficult at best to get to fly well and usually require modifications to both strengthen and lighten the structure at the same time. I don't intend to be a pessimist, but IMHO the Guillows Stuka would be one of the worst planes to choose for your first RC experience.

CombatPigg, one of the more prolific builders on the forum, has a particular approach to building from Guillows kits -- he keeps the plans for outlines and throws away the plane.

There is a sticky at the top of the forum on building a 1/2A LST -- excellent trainer; plans are available as a free download. If you have static building experience, then I think this plane would be a better selection.

Lots of experience here, so let the other guys jump in with their recommendations.

the "other" andrew
I'm not older than dirt, but I can remember when it was patent pending

RE: Guillows Corsair Electric Conversion

ORIGINAL: Andrew

CombatPigg, one of the more prolific builders on the forum, has a particular approach to building from Guillows kits -- he keeps the plans for outlines and throws away the plane.

That sounds good to me. A long time ago I rolled up and tubed the plans from several Sterling Peanut Scale double kits. A couple of years ago I pulled them off the shelf and reproduced the plan for the SE 5a at 200% and the Fokker D-8 at 250%. The outlines made a great start for a couple of 2 channel planes for a Webra Piccolo and a PeeWee .02 respectively.

RE: Guillows Corsair Electric Conversion

Dave, I agree with the other posters that this is not an ideal first project.
BUT having said that, if you end up with the kit, then I would suggest that you go ahead and build it. Sounds like you have building experience and probably some reason (?) to select the Stuka. Complete it with engine, radio, etc. Finish it out. Take some photos. Use the tips from this forum re. firewall, control surfaces, etc.
Then remove the engine and radio and hang it above your workbench. Use it as an inspiration while you build something like a DNU. This will be a piece of cake after the Guillows build. Get in touch with a local club, there are several in the DWF area. Get some help with the DNU (or whatever you decide) and after a few flights with an instructor you will be able to gauge your progress and you will know when you are ready for the Stuka. Whether you decide to fly it or keep it as a display model, you are still way ahead of crashing it on the first flight!
Good luck,
Al